Charlotte.com

Great Day For Football or Anything Else

On a morning such as this you have to work to be unhappy. Based on my email, some worked very hard this morning. But I didn't spend much time online.

This is a morning for running, cycling, walking or walking dogs. The weather is a gift. I couldn't ask for a better day for football or anything else. Even those really bitter guys who write on message boards have to be happy -- unless they live in the basement and the windows are closed and the shades drawn and they're not aware of the sunshine attempting to seep in.

I love opening day, and I especially love it when the Panthers play at home. If you go to the game, you have to decide what time to leave, where to meet, what to eat and drink, and how loud, at 10:15 a.m., you get to be.

If you watch at home or with friends or at a sports bar, similar decisions have to be made.

What I like is that we finally are in position to make them. Every NFL season seems to take longer to get to. It's like a mirage, water in the desert, and we're crawling toward it and crawling toward it and all we get are puddles, also known as exhibition games.

And then, finally, there it is, the real thing, so close we can taste it. We're almost there.

No matter where you are, enjoy the day. And if you're in the basement, turn off the computer and go outside. Some day you'll thank me. Your parents will thank me now.